By Julia Train
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson presented the 34th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Spirit Award on Jan. 16 to Leslie White-Coursey.
In commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday, the award is given out annually to a resident who lives by his example through being involved in the community and working to improve the lives of their fellow citizens.
White-Coursey, from Atlantic City, received the award during the first Board of County Commissioners meeting of the year, of which her husband, Commissioner Ernest D. Coursey is a member.
“Nobody has dedicated themselves to education and educating young people more than Leslie White-Coursey. This is an award that’s long overdue,” said Levinson as he recognized White-Coursey’s efforts.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an advocate for equality. With that, he fought for equal education opportunities. White-Coursey has embodied Dr. King’s principles throughout her entire career as an educator.
She graduated from Rutgers University’s School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in business management. Afterward, she attended Walden University in Minneapolis, MN, and earned her Master of Science in educational leadership and administration.
White-Coursey then began her career as both a technology coordinator and first-grade teacher. She went on to become an assistant principal and principal in the Atlantic City school system.
For the past five years, she has been serving as the liaison for the New Jersey Department of Education and the school districts and charter schools in Atlantic County as an Interim Executive County Superintendent.
Currently, White-Coursey is a member of numerous committees and professional organizations including Agape Community Life Center, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees, Rowan College of South Jersey Board of Trustees, Cumberland County Vocational School Board of Trustees and the Cumberland County Human Relations Commission.
After Levinson handed the award and the two posed for photos, White-Coursey walked up to the podium to issue a brief comment.
“It’s such an honor and I am humbled…The work is not easy,” White Coursey said. “But it is rewarding, extremely rewarding when we see the students’ success.”
She thanked Levinson, the commissioners, her family, friends, colleagues and her husband. She also mentioned her two sons as the reasons she became an educator.
